How long does Paxil stay in your system?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
How long does Paxil stay in your system?
Paxil stays in your system for approximately 5 days. Paxil (Paroxetine) is an SSRI antidepressant which has an elimination half-life of about 21-24 hours.
After this time period, the initial concentration of the drug reduces to half, which keeps reducing this way after every 21-24 hours (1). It typically takes 5 half-lives for a medication to be eliminated from your body, which indicates Paxil can take almost 5 days to leave your body completely.
However, this time period may vary as it can depend on different factors, like your age, weight, dosage strength, frequency, duration of treatment, any underlying health condition, and overall physiological well-being.
People with renal or hepatic insufficiency take longer to eliminate the medication and this is exactly why their doses are adjusted. Make sure you take Paxil properly and don’t stop using it without consulting your doctor first.
Factors affecting the stay time of Paxil in your system
Several factors can influence how long Paxil (Paroxetine) stays in your system. Some of them include:
- Dosage strength: The amount of Paxil you take can affect how long it stays in your body. Higher doses may take longer to be eliminated.
- Duration of treatment: If you have been taking Paxil for an extended period, it may take longer for it to completely clear from your system compared to shorter-term use.
- Metabolism: Your individual metabolism can impact how quickly your body breaks down and eliminates Paxil. Metabolism can vary from person to person.
- Age: Age can affect the elimination of medications. Older individuals may metabolize Paxil more slowly, which can prolong its presence in the body.
- Liver function: The liver is responsible for processing and eliminating drugs from the body. Impaired liver function may result in slower elimination of Paxil.
- Other medications and substances: Certain medications, herbal supplements, or substances may interact with Paxil and affect its clearance from the body. It’s important to inform your healthcare provider about any other drugs or supplements you are taking.
- Genetics: Each person’s body is unique, and factors such as genetics and overall health can impact how long Paxil stays in their system.
Never stop Paxil abruptly
It’s important not to stop taking Paxil abruptly without proper medical guidance. Suddenly discontinuing Paxil can lead to uncomfortable and potentially serious withdrawal symptoms. Here’s why it’s important to avoid stopping Paxil abruptly:
Withdrawal symptoms
When Paxil is stopped suddenly, your body may react by experiencing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, headache, irritability, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and flu-like symptoms (2,3).
Relapse of symptoms
Stopping Paxil abruptly can sometimes cause a temporary return or worsening of the symptoms it was originally prescribed to treat. This is known as a relapse of symptoms that were being managed by Paxil.
Risk of discontinuation syndrome
Discontinuation syndrome is a specific set of symptoms that can occur when stopping certain antidepressant medications, including Paxil. It is more likely to occur if Paxil is stopped abruptly rather than gradually tapered off under medical supervision (4).
To discontinue Paxil safely, it’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider. They can create a tapering schedule that gradually reduces your dose over time. This allows your body to adjust gradually and minimizes the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
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References
1.-
Shrestha P, Fariba KA, Abdijadid S. Paroxetine. 2022 Jul 19. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30252278. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526022/
2.-
Peeters FP, Zandbergen J. Heftige onttrekkingsverschijnselen met koorts bij afbouw van paroxetine [Severe withdrawal symptoms with fever during paroxetine tapering off]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 1999 Jul 3;143(27):1429-31. Dutch. PMID: 10422558. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10422558/
3.-
Tonks A. Withdrawal from paroxetine can be severe, warns FDA. BMJ. 2002 Feb 2;324(7332):260. doi: 10.1136/bmj.324.7332.260. PMID: 11823353; PMCID: PMC1122195. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1122195/
4.-
Belloeuf L, Le Jeunne C, Hugues FC. Syndrome de sevrage à la paroxétine [Paroxetine withdrawal syndrome]. Ann Med Interne (Paris). 2000 Apr;151 Suppl A:A52-3. French. PMID: 10855379. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10855379/
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